US Seeking Iran Treaty to Cover Nuclear and Missile Concerns

The US wants to negotiate a treaty with Iran that would include both its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, according to Brian Hook, the US special envoy for Iran.

Speaking at the Hudson Institute think tank on Wednesday, Hook said "the new deal that we hope to be able to sign with Iran, and it will not be a personal agreement between two governments like the last one, we seek a treaty."

By treaty, the envoy meant one that would be ratified by the US Senate, which the 2015 Obama Administration nuclear agreement with Iran did not. The 2015 deal was an executive agreement that was not ratified by the Senate.

"They did not have the votes in the US Senate so they found the votes in the UN Security Council. That is insufficient in our system of government if you want to have something enduring and sustainable," Hook said

Hook noted that "the ayatollah, the president and foreign minister have all indicated they are not interested in talking," adding, "We respect that though that does not change our plans. We have a sanctions regime that is underway, stronger measures are yet to come."

President Donald Trump will chair a session dedicated to on Iran during the UN Security Council meeting this month. The US presides over the UNSC meetings in September. The president will also dedicate his speech to Iran at the General Assembly meeting in New York next week.

According to Hook, the administration is enhancing its diplomatic efforts to make sure Iranian oil sales will be "close to zero" when tougher US oil sanctions against Tehran are imposed on November 4.